JeannieB Bears

Been awhile. Back in business :)

2010-03-01T14:28:00.000-08:00

Has been nearly a year since I have posted anything. Moved and lot's of "life stuff". Finally, back on track :) Here's a new design from my teddy bear "gift list". Born 2/28/2010. He is my first center seam head design.

Smith Farm

2009-04-04T06:15:00.001-07:00

The farm where I dog sit once belonged to an excavator. The house is almost completely surrounded by water. Beautiful place! My friends (and neighbors) bought the place the same year I moved to my farm. Although we didn't know it at the time; we live about a mile from each other, in the middle of "About Nowhere"!

Yesterday, I had the most unique experience at their farm. The wind was blowing hard and the lilly pads (just under the waters surface) were reflecting their shiny undersides with the current. This must have attracted a pair of Bald Head Eagles. The huge birds were almost stationary on the wind while they searched the lakes for fish. I could hear the splash as one of the birds dove down for it's meal!

Now armed with my camera, of course; the birds are no where to be seen!

The Entertainer

2009-03-31T18:23:00.000-07:00

My brother Buddy knew one piano song by heart. The Entertainer by Scott Joplin. I was recently reminded of this because a co-worker has the song as a ring tone on her cell phone. Hearing it sparked some fond memories of the past.....
Buddy had always been the class clown, the joker....the entertainer. He sparked laughter everywhere he went. From re-inventing the four food groups with the waitress of a fancy restaurant (butter, salt, spaghetti, fat), to getting his uptight nurse in trouble for giving him IV Baby Ruths; after she repremanded him for eating sweets. He hung the empty candy bag over his IV bag, then reported her to her supervisor. They all had a good laugh. Never a dull moment in his company!
My favorite picture of him was taken at the old Revolution Mill (now renovated into Revolution Mill Studios). He found a petrified raccoon that had been stuck in a wall for who knows how long and kept the nasty thing around for years. He loved animals and felt sorry for it....introduced it and it's "sad story" to everyone that came over....lol. Then he'd make it "attack". Should've seen people run!
I suppose anyone that met Buddy had no idea that his IQ was over 160. Master in business, Deans List...... made more money than most of us will hope to make in our lifetime. The one thing they all knew was that Buddy healed everything with laughter and entertainment.
Anton W. Bantel Jr. October 28, 1959- June 25, 2007

Sweet Memories. ALBERT April 2001-February 22 2009

2009-02-24T18:23:00.000-08:00

Albert, aka "The Needy" -never missed a teddy bear photo session! Sometimes I felt like putting Albert on E-Bay instead of the bear!!! I will certainly miss his sweet face and gentle-needy nature. He was my little angel! :o(

2009-01-19T18:26:00.001-08:00

YouTube - Lifehouse's Everything Skit

Samantha,
Early CONGRATULATIONS on your graduation! YIPPIE! You are an inspiration to those around you and I hope life takes you to beautiful places. The video reminds me of you and all the love you spread where ever you go! Wish I could've been there for the play.
Big Teddy Hugs!

Norman

2009-01-01T06:12:00.000-08:00

NORMAN June 1992-January 1, 2009

Moms Angel.....

2008-12-22T15:52:00.001-08:00

On our news tonight, there was a story about a picture taken in a hospital that looks like a "light angel". Their "angel" looks a lot like my moms "light angel". Hmmm......

My Aunt was here visiting from Germany. She took this picture of my mom sleeping, just weeks after my dad died and my brother had killed himself. Mom has had three strokes and has minimal use of her left arm and neck- her mind and speech are ok......but, she hasn't been out of bed in several years.

The picture was taken early in the morning and the sun was on the opposite side of the building. The light reflects ON everything around it: moms face, the INSIDE of the curtains, on the bed rail, etc. ---as if it really is a "being". Of course, I have played CSI detective with the photo.......Love and Believe, the two most difficult things in life!? Hmmm.......

Kings of Leon eating Silkies?!?! OMG......

2008-12-21T16:54:00.000-08:00

Normal Sunday evening, listening to music...watching videos and sewing...then, OMG!! Kings of Leon video for 'Sex on Fire'....they're eating little Silkie drum sticks!! For those of you who know me, I have PET chickens. Among them are the beautiful Bantam Silkies....adorable little feather footed cuties. They have "fur" instead of feathers with mulberry combs and turquoise ear lobes.

At first, I thought "how neat" they have Silkies in their video! Then I saw them hanging upside down....then, OMG...."Is that a tiny drum stick he's eating???" OMG!! Really, check it out!

YouTube - Kings Of Leon - Sex On Fire

Sunrise in Caswell County

2008-12-20T04:47:00.000-08:00

The pink light from the sunrise this morning was stuningly beautiful! A humbling reminder of Gods awesome love!

Christmas bear presents

2008-12-18T17:33:00.001-08:00

My last bear Christmas presents turned out really cute! Bear on the left is made from premium synthetic Norweigan fox with a arctic fox fur chest. The bear on the right is made from premium synthetic Golden fox. I love the quality of the Tissavel Fur. No wonder they charge sooooo much for it!

The newest pattern (left) has wired arms for cute poses and I finally acheived the "fat cub" body!!! Designs in the past just looked liked they ate a basketball...LOL!

As usual, the bears refused to go into their stockings...but, I squished them in. Now I just have to get them to their new moms and dads. Wish me luck!

Thank you, Santa Claus....

2008-12-15T19:43:00.001-08:00

I really don't care how many shopping days are left until Christmas! But, I am concerned about budget cuts at the nursing home. Santa Claus has come to visit my mom every year since 2005.

I can tolerate the "burrito-looking-things" they served for Christmas dinner....but, if Santa doesn't come?!?! He makes her so happy, even if it's just for a few minutes! So, if you see a Santa out and about this year...be sure to stop and tell him thank you. It really does make a difference!

Bear of the week...

2008-12-15T19:31:00.000-08:00

Spent the weekend doing farm chores, sewing and watching football.....couldn't ask for better!?! Hoping for a good photo session with this bear tomorrow! She/he turned out really cute! Still needs a few finishing details.....more to come.....

Tater turning gray....

2008-12-10T15:29:00.000-08:00

My Great Dane, Tater, turned six this summer. He looks so "old". I know the giant dog breeds age rapidly and he will pass way too soon. Hopefully, we'll have several more good years!

My twenty-one year old kitty, Lumpy, died on November 7th. He's the black "after-shower-kitty-warmer" in the picture taken last year.

I found him in a dumpster when I was sixteen. I could hear him crying. Had to climb in to find him, yuck! He had just been born....still wet. Lucky for him (and me) it was my second year working at a veterinary hospital. He prompted my interest and career in neo-natal feline medicine....

Turned out he had seizures, and appeared "dead" in the postdictal state. Probably why someone threw him away?? He was tiny....for many months. Had to tube feed him for a week before he would nurse on his own. He never gave up and had such a strong will to survive. He has been my constant companion, pillow and friend for a long time! Miss him a lot.......

Does he look like me?

2008-12-09T15:29:00.000-08:00

Oh my.....it's happening to me!

So many artists look like their bears. I love to browse teddy bear show pictures of artists with their creations, because more often then not; they look like their bears. How cute!

LOL....my newest design (prototype) could be related to me! He is made from high quality, golden fox synthetic fur. About 14" tall standing. The pictures don't do him justice. And, yes...he looks like me!

Hugs,

JeannieB

Meet Snowden...

2008-11-16T13:55:00.000-08:00

It was a close race, but the teddy bear won! He is celebrating and in the holiday spirit! His little mouse friend still needs arms and legs....and he's not happy about that.

Snowden the bear is made from premium, woven backed- synthetic fur; in a creamy white color. He is 12" sitting and 16" standing up. He has matching ultra suede paw pads and earliners.

More pictures of Snowden are available on my web-pages.

http://home.bellsouth.net/p/pwp-teddybears

Thanks for taking a minute to visit Snowden!

Hugs,

JeannieB

Inspiration from the strangest things.....Snowden or Snowden??

2008-11-01T16:08:00.001-07:00

Inspiration for making my bears seems to come from a variety of senses ..sight, feeling....even smell can inspire a color scheme for a new critter! My favorite bears (and the quickest to be finished) are usually inspired by someone's child, especially around Christmas time.

Last week I read the tiny writing on my favorite surgeons gold handled forcep. (I work in the operating room) This forcep is used to "sew" tiny vein grafts onto the heart. "Snowden" was one of the words. I really like it as a teddy bear name! Too cute!

I went home that night and with "Snowden" in mind, drew a new bear pattern and a mouse pattern. This is my first mouse.

Of course, white would be the color. I chose Lapin(recycled rabbit fur) for the mouse and an expensive woven backed synthetic for the bear.

Usually I make myself work on one project at a time. So there are no UFO's (unfinished objects) hanging around. But, I just couldn't help myself and cut out both of them at the same time!

The race is on! Who ever is finished first will be "Snowden" and the runner up...well, haven't thought that far ahead. Any name suggestions for the second place finisher will be taken into consideration!

Look for Snowden and "his friend" in the weeks to come...

Meet Oliver....

2008-11-01T15:31:00.000-07:00

This is Oliver, my newest cub and first bent leg design. His premium synthetic fur has a deep olive color base with rusty tan guard hairs. Super soft quality fur! He sits at 12" tall and is five way jointed. All stretched out he measures 19" from head to feet....a big boy! His paws and ear linings are made from ultra-suede. He is heavily weighted and feels like a real baby when held....too cute!
Thanks for visiting with Oliver. He is available directly from me. See web pages for details...
http://home.bellsouth.net/p/pwp-teddybears
hugs,
Jeannie and Oliver

Welcome to JeannieB Bears.....

2008-08-30T05:36:00.000-07:00

Hi from teddy bear artist: Jeannie Bantel

Teddy bear designer since 2006. All of my creations

are hand sewn and made with lot's of attention to detail!

I use mohair, premium synthetics and recycled fur to bring

these critters to life. Please take a minute to visit my web

pages at http://home.bellsouth.net/p/pwp-teddybears

Thanks for stopping in.....big teddy bear hugs,

JeannieB